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Hanging up on marketing people
Bunks
Australia Veteran
I just hung up on a guy in a flash of anger who cold called me trying to sell me a certain type of insurance that I already have.
I kinda feel bad about it.
He's just trying to make a buck like the rest of us......
It was as if the moment he started talking I knew I was going to hang up but was just waiting for an excuse so that it was justified.
Ukasa, dvara-tayena katam, sabbam aparadham khamatu no [me] bhante.
I ask your leave, I ask you to forgive me for whatever wrong I have done with the three doors (body, speech and mind)
I kinda feel bad about it.
He's just trying to make a buck like the rest of us......
It was as if the moment he started talking I knew I was going to hang up but was just waiting for an excuse so that it was justified.
Ukasa, dvara-tayena katam, sabbam aparadham khamatu no [me] bhante.
I ask your leave, I ask you to forgive me for whatever wrong I have done with the three doors (body, speech and mind)
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Comments
A polite "no thanks" to a salesman selling something that you are not interested in and removing yourself from the conversation (in your case hanging up) is really doing what's best for everyone.
My second marriage lasted about 6 months. Our separation lasted about 8 years and then my ex died (leukemia). We never divorced.
For years afterwards, when marketeers would call asking for "Mrs. ______" I would respond by saying, "I'm very sorry, but Mrs. ______, passed away.".
The embarrassed silence that would invariably follow was priceless
Reminds me of the time when I worked as a cold caller for a stock broker. I called this one guy and did my normal sales pitch. He interrupted me and said "I'm sorry, I'm not interested but good luck!" And then he hung up on me. The thing that struck me was that he sounded very sincere when he said that. Almost as if he had been in my position before, doing what I was doing. He understood my situation and seemed to wish for me to be successful, just not with him. Didn't bother me in the slightest because he was quite friendly about it, even though he completely hung up on me! It's quite possible to be friendly and hang up on someone at the same time.
Last winter I had Mormons come to my door-- it had been snowing. I politely told them I really just wasn't interested but thanks for stopping by-- and promptly closed the door. They really shouldn't have been out in that kind of weather anyway! I would've let them in for hot tea, but I wasn't interested in entertaining salesmen (and that's essentially what they are doing, selling a product). But I wasn't angry with them.
Again, I was doing them a favor-- I'm not going to buy what you're selling, so I'm cutting into *your* precious time for whatever quota you have to fill.
I get the impression that it doesn't matter whether they are walking from one door to the next or sitting at my table, for those hours, talking about the weather, or our children. If they are at my table they effectively leave doors for others in the congregation to knock on as well as getting a break from rejection.
I'll give them some time if I can spare it.
I also get angry with 2 local charities for repeated calls...sometimes weekly or more. They are not charities I support, and I rarely have the type of items they are seeking. But they keep calling over and over and over...I would say, conservatively, over 35 per year...even though I have asked to be taken off their phone lists, and they promise they will, and then they are right back with calls every couple of weeks. I hate lying...particularly repeated lying.
I just ran for our HOA Board, and it was a somewhat heated election. I didn't make phone calls, nor did I knock on doors...because to me that is invading the privacy of the home.
It gets pretty annoying, but I feel compelled to at least listen to the messages the leave in my voicemail.
Although it's often annoying and at times can be exhausting, I guess it's a good problem to have.
Like many of us anxious types I don't like to say no to people. And when I do say no to people I expect them to respect that and stop asking me. However, this guy just kept going so I got angry and said goodbye and hung up.
"Give me your home number and I'll call you back later tonight" to which they reply "We don't accept calls at home" and he says "Now you know how I feel, goodbye!"
Here, they're referred to as 'Chuggers' (Charity Muggers).
My H worked as one for a matter of 3 weeks, before he quit in disgust.
He hated their work ethic. It was basically putting a metaphorical foot in the door and making donors feel guilty for 'only' giving their existing sum/month.
At least if I ever get called, I know exactly what to say as a first question.
"How much do YOU donate to this charity?"
you can always phrase the question as appropriate, to your caller: 'Are YOU insured with this company?' or 'Do you have these windows/bathrooms/loft insulation installed in YOUR home?'
It kind of puts them on a back foot, because you can tell them that you will increase your donation (install/subscribe to whatever they're promoting) only on the condition that they match your input.
Job jobbed.
I do not engage with the telemarketer in any way. Just do the above regardless of whether they are speaking and of what they're saying.
As for anger, it hasn't arisen in that particular situation lately but I can easily imagine that it can if I'm having a lousy day. Be mindful of it, develop insight into it and do not act on it.
Very occasionally I engage with them, trolls feel neglected, bless them . . .
http://www.insidecrm.com/articles/crm-blog/flip-the-script-34-scripts-and-ideas-for-getting-back-at-telemarketers-53529
He gets random calls every six months or so from the Heart Foundation to donate money. The guy has no job, is over thirty, and is being supported by his father. Despite his lack of his own earning cash, because of what he claims as an inability to [man-up and] "say no" he simply submits and makes a donation of $150.
Speaking of which, I guess the calls every six months are no longer random. He's donated twice now, and he'll no doubt receive further calls.
He's a bit of an unfortunate soul; suffers from bad depression, overweight, never had a job in his life, no college degree, and hangs out with similar types. I try not to be judgemental (hah just re-read that previous sentence) but I don't know how I can help, he's just sinking further and further.
Well end rant now. As for me ... usually I just hang up. Same with the people on the street; a polite shake of the head. My feeling is that I have a right to spend the money I've worked for in the way I want (net of taxes etc); and similar have the right to spend my time in the way I want, subject to various responsibilities (which I like to think I choose to do anyway!).